Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL) – The Gambia Police Force announced Tuesday the initiation of a formal investigation into concerns raised by a recent National Audit Office (NAO) report on the financial practices of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC). The report, covering the period from January 1, 2020, to December 31, 2023, highlights a series of financial irregularities and lapses in internal controls, pointing to potential misappropriation of public funds within the nation’s elections authority.
The Auditor General’s findings reveal substantial discrepancies, including irregular payments to unidentified personnel, transfers to private accounts, and suspected misuse of funds allocated for election expenses.
One of the most significant findings is the unaccounted-for sum of GMD7,935,603.55, which was transferred to IEC Returning Officers for election-related expenditures but remains unretired.
Audit discussions with IEC management clarified that the Commission’s process involves transferring election funds to the private accounts of Returning Officers who are then responsible for managing election expenses within their jurisdictions.
Despite assurances from the IEC that these funds were duly retired, auditors noted a lack of concrete financial records accounting for nearly GMD8 million.
In a more concerning revelation, the audit disclosed that the IEC transferred GMD301,323,850 to Returning Officers’ private accounts during the last election cycle.
When auditors requested bank statements for these accounts, IEC officials, including the Chief Electoral Officer, declined, citing a collective decision by the commission and Returning Officers not to comply. This refusal not only raises questions about the potential misuse of funds but also contradicts both the Gambian Constitution and Financial Regulations.
The report outlined that Returning Officers failed to withdraw or return GMD1,856,314 in leftover funds after completing their election duties, with auditors warning of the possibility these funds were retained for personal use.
Additionally, the IEC disbursed GMD12,719,077.53 in allowances outside the standard payroll system, opting instead to issue checks for direct cash withdrawals, a practice flagged as highly susceptible to fraud.
The auditors have recommended that the IEC enforce tighter financial oversight, including ensuring all allowances are processed through the payroll system and mandating that all remaining election funds be returned promptly.
Despite IEC’s statement that adjustments will be made, the Gambia Police Force’s investigation seeks to further probe the findings, which suggest systemic issues in the IEC’s financial practices and risk management.
As the probe unfolds, public scrutiny intensifies over the Commission’s management of electoral funds and its adherence to financial regulations, calling into question the IEC’s accountability and transparency in handling resources designated for the nation’s democratic processes.
